It's Here...The Federal ID card

By Hari Heath

Right now the U.S. House of Representatives is debating in committee what could be the single most federal power expanding bill in American history -- HR 4633, the "Driver's License Modernization Act of 2002."

Since its passage last October during the post-Sept. 11 hysteria, many Americans thought the more ominously Orwellian "Provide Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (PATRIOT) Act" was intended to bring about the federally-enforced police state. However, if you read the PATRIOT Act while comparing it with existing U.S. Code, it was mostly a housecleaning bill (The Idaho Observer, October, 2001).

The act provided a few new powers, but mostly it was just minor changes to the code. The government had already given itself enormous powers well beyond its constitutional limits; the PATRIOT Act was a sheep dressed up in wolf's clothing to scare us with its ominous name. HR 4633, on the other hand, is a rather large, rabid wolf in the sheep's clothing of a deceptively benign name.

Congress is currently debating House Resolution 4633 -- the "Driver's License Modernization Act of 2002." This rather mundane-sounding bill isn't nearly as scary sounding as the PATRIOT Act and is only intended, "To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish standards for State programs for the issuance of drivers' licenses and identification cards, and for other purposes."

At least they were honest right up front with the "and for other purposes" part. The Devil is in the details, details which are anything but mundane. Let's see what those devils in Congress are up to.
"Congress finds the following:

(1) The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, illuminated many flaws in the Nation's domestic security, especially in its identification system.

(2) Drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by States have become the favored form of identity verification in the United States and are used by government agencies and private entities alike.

(3) Inconsistent requirements between the States for initial identity verification and insufficient verification of identity documents have made the identification systems of States a prime target for fraud and identity theft.

(4) Different designs on drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by States have created a market, including sales on the Internet, for fake cards that look real to those who are unfamiliar with the official designs.

(5) Improving the security of State identification systems will require taking advantage of new technology.

(6) Identification card technologies that can accommodate other government and private applications will provide the best return on the investment in the new cards.

(7) It is necessary to improve the security of drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by States so that multiple licensing of individuals will be eliminated, the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products by underage individuals will be reduced, and identity theft will be severely reduced."

Read that as Congress using the events of 9-11 to have the State driver's license become the "favored form of identity verification" which will become federalized with this Bill because of "inconsistent requirements" and "insufficient verification" which results in too many "fake cards that look real." Improving security "will require" new "technologies that can accommodate other government and private applications" and "will provide the best return on the investment."

"Investment?" When has Congress ever figured out what a good "investment" is? Doesn't that make you feel like government-owned cattle, soon to be tagged with the latest in hi-tech pasture wear decorations?

This is the perfect Hegelian bureaucratic agenda of problem; reaction; solution. Remember the part in the beginning about "and for other purposes?" It only gets worse from here. "Not later than five years after the date of enactment of this section, each State shall have in effect a driver's license and identification card program under which the State meets the following requirements:"

Computer Chips in Driver's Licenses and ID Cards?

This Bill requires that "a State shall embed a computer chip in each new or renewed driver's license or identification card issued by the State." It further demands that "a computer chip embedded in a driver's license or identification card... shall: contain, in electronic form, all text data written on the license or card; encoded biometric data matching the holder of the license or card; encryption and security software or hardware (or both) that prevents access to data stored on the chip without the express consent of the individual to whom the data applies, other than access by a Federal, State, or local agency (including a court or law enforcement agency) in carrying out its functions, or by a private entity acting on behalf of a Federal, State, or local agency in carrying out its functions; accept data or software written to the license or card by non-governmental devices if the data transfer is authorized by the holder of the license or card; and conform to any other standards issued by Secretary."

No, I am not making any of this up. It's straight from the Bill itself. The Feds want to put a chip in your State driver's license with your biometric data encoded and accessible by any "agency" (not just law enforcement) or an unspecified "private entity." As government becomes more of a corporation and corporations become our government, isn't this simply authorization of the status quo?

This chip will be programmable by "non-governmental devices." What the hell are those? And it will "conform to any other standards issued by the Secretary." Since when was the Secretary of Transportation authorized to violate the Tenth Amendment (and a few others), take control of a State's control of its highways and be empowered to issue "any other standards?" What standards could those be? Just wait till you read about the "Innovative Uses Pilot Program."

First the chip is only in the license that you carry. Remember, the silent coup of administrative tyranny relies on gradualism and societal conditioning. Once this is accepted by the population it can be installed somewhere where it won't get lost or tampered with, like under your skin.

Biometric Data?

"A State shall obtain biometric data for the identification of each individual to whom the State issues a new or renewed driver's license or identification card and shall maintain such data." Just what kind of biometric data "shall" the state obtain? "Biometric data obtained by a State under this paragraph shall be of a type that can be matched to the license or card holder only with the express cooperation of the license or card holder."

And how are we to "express our cooperation" with a state which "shall" obtain our biometric data? By "expressing" our blood for a DNA sample? Will we "cooperate" by having our vision checked and getting our retinas scanned all at the same time? Unknowingly?

When will height, weight, hair and eye color be replaced by "any other standards issued by the Secretary?" This Bill gives unlimited power to an unelected, unaccountable administrator. What standard does this set?

A National/State Database?

"A State shall participate in a program to link State motor vehicle databases in order to provide electronic access by a State to information contained in the motor vehicle databases of all other States." And once this is complete will the Border Patrol have access to all of your "data?"

The Border Patrol, already in control of a massive people tracking database, is proposed to become a sub agency under the new Homeland Defense Czar. Is our new Czar Tom Ridge part of the "Shadow Government?" Only the shadow knows. From there your data can be kept in Interpol's files in Brussels Belgium -- where the NSA can "legally" spy on you.

Can you spell NWO yet? Or UN? Will the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) at the UN be the "private entity acting on behalf of a Federal, State, or local agency in carrying out its functions" that have access to your data? It's hard to tell government from its shadows anymore.

"A State motor vehicle database shall contain, at a minimum... All data fields printed on drivers' licenses and identification cards issued by the State... Biometric data obtained... from each individual to whom the State issues a new or renewed driver's license or identification card." Also "motor vehicle drivers' histories, including motor vehicle violations, suspensions, and points on licenses" will be kept in this new national/state database. "At a minimum?" Are there any limits to what such a database will contain?

Documentation?

"A State shall adopt and implement procedures for accurately documenting the identity and residence of an individual before issuing a driver's license or identification card to the individual." By now, rural Idahoans have been "given" their FEMA numbers to identify their "residence." These Rural Identification Numbers or RINs were mandated on our county governments if they were to receive FEMA flood insurance and other federal handouts. Now rural Idahoans can't vote without a FEMA number (RIN).

The Shadow Government appears to be in a hurry to complete their little paint the citizenry by numbers scheme: "Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue guidelines to assist States in complying with the requirements ..." Remember, soon FEMA will also be an agency under the umbrella of the Homeland Defense Czar.

More Standards?
"The guidelines issued under this subsection shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

Standards for the computer chip technology required for compliance..."

"Standards to ensure interoperability and the ability to store multiple applications created by government agencies and private entities and transmitted to the license or card with the express consent of the license or card holder..."

"Standards for the encoded biometric data that must be contained on each computer chip and requirements to ensure that such biometric data will be used only for matching the license or card to the presenter and will not be stored in a central database."

When I was first tricked into getting a Social Security card years ago, it said "not to be used for identification purposes." Now it is THE identifying number. Who would actually believe they won't store our biometric data in a central database once they have it? And how will we ever know if they do? When it's too late to get it back?
"Standards for linking State motor vehicle databases..."

"Standards for security features or optical image layers to be placed on State drivers' licenses and identification cards..."

"Standards for documentation of the identity and residence of an individual ... including a list of acceptable documents for establishing the identity and residence of an individual and procedures for verifying the authenticity of the documents."

"Standards for a numbering system for State drivers' licenses and identification cards that prevents duplication between States and does not make use of the license or card holder's Social Security number."

Are they going to going to give us new federal citizen ID numbers with this bill? Have they finally recognized it's a felony under federal law to compel the disclosure of the SSN (42 USC 408(a)(8))? Welcome to the Shadow Government and your new FEMA citizen number.

Privacy?

"The Secretary may issue guidelines under this subsection without regard to subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5" -- the Privacy Act. Will Congress vote to violate our privacy with this end run around the Privacy Act?

Federal Handouts?

"The Secretary may make grants to each State to assist the State in developing and implementing a driver's license and identification card program that meet the requirements ... [and] in developing and implementing computer technologies and databases required to link State motor vehicle databases ..."

This Bill also authorizes some sizable appropriations. $100,000,000 for making grants to develop and implement the driver's license and ID card programs and $200,000,000 for making grants to develop and implement computer technologies and databases. An additional $15,000,000 is to be appropriated for the "Innovative Uses Pilot Program." That's $315 million in giveaways so the states can put a chip in everyone's pocket or purse.

A Federal/State agency?

"A State carrying out activities using amounts from a grant under this section shall be treated as an executive agency and part of the Department of Transportation when carrying out such activities. For purposes of carrying out such activities, the Secretary shall, at the request of a State, enter into an agreement for the acquisition, on behalf of the State, of any goods, services, or supplies available to the Secretary from the General Services Administration, including acquisitions from prime venders..." Can Congress really make state agencies part of the federal government? I didn't see that power expressed in the Constitution, did you?

Repayment -- Federal strings

"The Secretary shall require a State that receives a grant under this subsection to submit to the Secretary, not later than 1 year after the date of implementation of the activities funded using the amounts of the grant, a report on the results of the activities."

"If the Secretary determines that a State receiving a grant under this subsection has not met the requirements ... on or before the last day of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary may require the State to repay, in whole or in part, the total amount received by the State in grants under this subsection."

Forgery or false use of a Driver's License or ID Card

Of course, what good would this bill be if Congress couldn't put a few more crimes on the books and fill up more prisons? No small potatoes here either, for Gulag Amerika. Title 18, United States Code, the "criminal" code will be amended with a new chapter 125.
"Whoever --

(1) falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters any driver's license or identification card or instrument purporting to be a driver's license or identification card, with intent that the license or card may be used,

(2) except by lawful authority, makes a template or similar device from which there may be printed a counterfeit driver's license or identification card,

(3) obtains or assists in obtaining a driver's license or identification card through willful misrepresentation of identity, presentation of falsified identity documents such as birth certificates or passports, or other fraudulent representation,

(4) tampers with, alters, or destroys a computer chip embedded in a driver's license or identification card or data contained on the computer chip, or

(5) except by lawful authority, accesses data contained on a computer chip embedded in a driver's license or identification card, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both."

20 years in the klink over a driver's license? What if a few years in the wallet "mutilates" it? Will it be your fault if the chip fails to work? 20 years in prison for trying to find out what the government or a "private entity" put in the chipped card you must carry before traveling on the public highways?

How many people simply won't be able to document themselves under the Secretary's new "standards?" How many people will refuse to comply once they find out what's in this new citizen tracking device? Worse yet, how many compliant citizens will think all this is a good idea?

Driving without a license in Idaho, under the current unconstitutional and illegitimate state statute is only a misdemeanor with up to a six month jail sentence. Will you prefer to risk 6 months for driving without a license or 20 years in a federal penitentiary for driving with one that may have been "altered" by a stray magnet? Think how many unwanted problem citizens can be swept off the streets and into the camps because their "papers" won't compute. It could be a field day at the terrorism roadblocks for any government agent with a magnet.

"Innovative Uses Pilot Program"

This Bill also seeks to encourage the development of many "innovative uses" for these new programmable federal ID cards. This is only the "Pilot Program."
"The National Science Foundation may make grants to States for the implementation of programs that utilize computer chips embedded in drivers' licenses and identification cards... for innovative uses that enhance government services."

"The innovative uses... may include the issuance of food stamps, voter registration, and other digital government applications that streamline and simplify State services to residents, including uses authorized under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.)."

Here it comes. The card to end all cards. As government and "private entities" find more "innovative uses" for this technology its utility will increase. Watch for more public/private partnerships to swell up around the card. Oracle has already offered the government free use of its software. Such benevolence will no doubt be repaid many times over, once the system is up and running.

Our Questionable Future under the National ID card

What if a State doesn't want to conform to this Bill? Will the state be arrested? What about the 10th Amendment Resolution the Idaho Legislature passed some years ago? Will Idaho stand up for States rights or grab onto this federal handout, trading our liberties for its revenue?

Are the new numbering "standards" meant to replace the current SSN citizen tracking system? Will Social Security be phased out after we are all given new numeric identifiers -- and the Ponzie scheme of Social Security collapses?

Can the new chipped license be tracked via satellite? With the new FEMA numbered and chipped license in your pocket will your location be displayed at all times to any of thousands of agencies and thousands more "private entities?"

Are the stepping stones being laid for a chip implanted, satellite tracked citizenry? Will this be the line that Americans finally refuse to cross? Will people wake up and refuse to consent by contract with an unconstitutional administrative regime?

The history of the driver's license is an interesting study in administrative gradualism, societal conditioning and the slow rush to power. A rush to power that is about to take a giant leap forward.

It began as a municipal tax on truckers and taxis who used public roads for profit almost a century ago. By fraud and usurpation of the people's right to travel, the states extended the regulation of commerce to the unconstitutional "licensing" of private travel. This is a dirty little secret that modern day courts punish people for exposing.

Most people have been conditioned to accept the belief that a driver's license is both a legal requirement and necessary. Even after much effort, I have yet to find anyone in government who can explain how it is constitutionally authorized.

This gradually layered fraud is now being advanced as a national citizen control card. Not only does this nationalize the State driver's license, but also the state issued ID card. Since it will soon be used for many other "innovative uses," will we be required to get either the license or the ID card and carry it at all times? Must we have a walking down the street license in the land of the free?

This is not Sci-Fi or the ravings of a paranoid delusionist. This is our Congress. The mark of the beast is here. And the beast is clearly our shadowy government.

Control of people through control of their movements.

They are attempting, under the guise of protecting us from terrorism, to get us to rivet the chains on the necks of our fellow sufferers. Or rather, rivet a chain on your own neck whenever you apply for or renew a driver's license or ID card.

How much will you surrender for the false promise of security? Where is your line in the sand? Will you "just say no" to the anti-government -- the beast lurking in the shadows? Or will you submit to another layer of administrative treason? It's here... and coming soon to a Federal ID card near you!